Device for protecting embankments



PATENTED FEB. 16, 1904.

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2 SHEETS APPLIUATION FILED JUVNE 8. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

No. 752,637. PATENTED PEB.- 16, 1904,. G. MANKEDIGK. DEVICE POR PROTECTING EMBANKMENTS.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 8. 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

`3,5 the lower edge UNITED STATES Patented February i6, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.l

TRICT OF COLUMB INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF R. EDSON, OF WASHINGTON, DIS- DEVICE FOR PROTECTING EMBANKMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 752,637,

dated February 16, 1904.

Application iiled June 8, 1903. Serial No. 160,657. (No model.)

To all whom. t may concern..-

Be it known that I, CHARLES MANKEDIGK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sullivan, in the county of Sullivan and State of Indiana` have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Protecting Embankments; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others IO skilled in the art to which it appertains` to make and use the same. My invention has for its object the protection of natural river-banks, levees constructed along rivers or other natural watercourses, I5 and embankments thrown up along canals, ditches, railroads, &c., from disintegrating by means of excessive rainfalls and undermining seepage, or from eroding by the current or other action of water in streams, rivers, and' canals or ditches. O

' It embraces vthe use of canvas or 'other suitable material the meshes of which are of such compactness or 'neness that the water will not surge or dash through it and wash behind it. The canvas is constructed with a pocket or series of pockets, into which is placed sand or other means for anchoring or weighting the same in place on or against the bank, serving both to sink and hold the canvas in position and as a shield for resisting the action of the current. The canvasis put into position against the bank by the use of the ordinary crane or derrick, so disposing said canvas as to permit of the submergence or anchoring of of the canvas at the base of the bank or levee, or like means of an improvised character, constituted, preferably, principally of what may be termed poles, &c., may be used Ifor the same purposes. Also 40 this may be effected manuallyifrom a boat positioned the required distance from the shore. Again, a long iron rod or section of railroadiron may be inclosed within the canvas, the latter being rolled up around the former, so

that as the canvas is placed in position on the -bank the weight of said iron rod or section of railroad-iron will unroll the canvas down the back and carry the lower edge of the cannavigation in various situations by resisting the destructive action of strong currents directed against the embankment by retaining the current within its'original channel, thereby avoiding the formation of elusive and dangerous sand-bars in the main channels of navigation.

,It is also applicable to the protection of levees or embankments over which the high waters flow for a time, it .being adapted for application to both sides and the top of the same, said canvas affording such protection, being adapted to anchor and secure itself, as it may bev continuous, or if in sections when applied to opposite sides of the embankment said sections may be fastened Vtogether by ropes closely uniting said sections, or said connection may be effected by means of stakes driven through said sections and into said embankment, prevailing conditions determining the best method for effecting such connection at the time.

The nature of my invention consists of the combination and arrangement of parts, including their construction, substantially as hereinafter more fully disclosed, and specifically pointed out by the claims.

Inthe accompanying drawings, illustrating the preferred embodiment of my invention, Figure lris) a view showing the same placed in position against a bank against which the current of theriver may be directed. Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the application of the device to both or opposite sides of an embankment 'and the top thereof to protect the same, as where the water overliows the same at intervals. Fig. 3 is a view disclosing the manner of putting the canvas in position by means of a boat. Fig. 4 is a view disclosing purpose. Fig. 5 is a view showing the use of an ordinary crane or derrick for applying my invention-for use. Fig. 6 is a view showing the applying of the invention to a railroad grade on both sides of the embankment, the

same beingcomposed of sections or parts ofv canvas suitably connected together by ropes or wires stretched' across the grade under the railroad-track; also, disclosing the canvas or mat between the rails. Fig. 7 is a view showing the unrolling of the canvas down a railroadgrade embankment by means of a weight, as an iron rod or section of railroad-iron.

It will be understood that I do not limit myself to details herein disclosed, as the same may be changed as circumstances suggest without departure from the spirit of my invention.

In carrying out my invention I preferably produce the canvas or other material in sections of a width equal to the height of the bank to be protected. The sections are preferably provided with rope handles for handling the same for all purposes. Said sections may be connected with each other by means of heavy cord threaded through loops or eyes in the edges of the sections, or they may be caused to lap sections previously placed in position against the embankment where conditions require such. Such sections may be composed of duck, canvas, hemp, or jute of any width or^ length necessary to cover the slope of the embankment. The upper and lower edges of said sections should have a hem inclosing, preferably, a one-half or three-A eighths inch rope so inclosed therein as not to slip out of the same or cause the tucking up of the sections of canvas. Transverse ropes placed ve or six feet apart are secured to the canvas sections and `looped over the top or bottom hem, said ropes projecting sufliciently to be fastened on opposite sides of the top of the embankment by means, preferably, of a' stake, shrub, or weight. Suitable eyes may he inserted at the top, bottom, and sides of such canvas section or sections, so that said sections may be more readily connected together at the sides or ends thereof, as occasion and the height and length of such levee or embankment may demand. Such sections should be stored away at convenient places, being preferably rolled up readyfor any emergency. It is then only necessary when it is required to bring suchsections into service to fill sleeves, pouches, o1J

pockets attached to said sections with any, convenient heavy weight, as sand or earth. It will be noted that the pockets or sleeves later described are of such width at the bottom that the preponderant weight will be concentrated at that point, thus effecting thel distribution of the weight conveniently along the foot ,or base of a levee, embankment, &c. sleeve or pocket should be well filled, with rope attached thereto, so as to permit of said The first rope being drawn out through a lower corner opening thereof to provide for anchorage in any suitable way, it only being necessary to partially fill the others of said pockets. When said pockets are filled, the canvas sections are suitably disposed in position, as above noted, so that the lower edges thereof will descend to the foot of the levee or embankment. The loaded pockets will adjust themselves at their bottoms to the lower edge or rim of the canvas section. All that now remains to secure the canvas section or sections in place is to suitably secure the top edge of the section or sections in the manner above outlined. In

large bodies of water it may be necessary to drop such sections from a boat as a matter of convenience. An endless'rope should be connected to the upper edge of the rim of the canvas section, passing therefrom` and from the boat to the shore. Such canvas sections when properlyplaced in position will lie close against and adhere to the levee or embankment, at once adjusting themselves against such levee or embankment by reason of the inclosed weight and the pressure of the water, forming at once a waterproof` shield or coating, thus preventing further disintegration or seepage thereof. Where the water pours over said levee, embankment, dike, &c., at intervals, protection is afforded by connecting the upper rims or edges ofthe canvas or other sections by means of the projecting ropes above noted and dropping said sections, with their pockets loaded, as stated, on either side of the embankment, thus providing for safely conducting the water over such levee, embankment, &c., without injury to it.

The merits of this device are thoroughness of protection, valuable time saved at crises, and the rapidity with which large areas of IOO bility is added to the small expense. of the material required, as against the uncertain results from the use 'of sand-bags, &c. l Referring 4more particularly to the draw-4 ings, sections of canvas, or other material as above described, l 1, are shown applied-as, for instance, in Fig.. l-along and at the top of the levee or embankment, suitably connected together by means of a heavy cord or rope 2, threaded through loops, eyes, or the hem Y of said sections, thus effecting such connection. Said sections are provided with sleeves, pouches, or pockets 3, diverging from their upper Aends downward toward and of a width about that of the width of each canvas section at its lower edge. Said pockets, as before intimated, are adapted to receive sand, earth, &c., for weighting or anchoring said sections and the spreading of said sections at their lower edges to effectively secure the same in position. Additional loops or eyes 4 are applied thereto of additional canvas sections, as occasion may require. vAlso applied to said can- -to said canvas sections for the attachment l territory may be covered. General practicavas sections are rope handles or loops 5 for tending along, the upper longitudinal edges conveniently handling the canvas. Also extending out through an opening from the lower corner edge of a pocket of a canvas section is a rope 6 to provide for anchoring purposes.

It is thought that in view of the recital given in connection With the various other views of the drawings no further description of the parts therein disclosed is necessary, as thel same relate only to different Ways of applying my invention, which will readily appeal to the judgment and be readily understood.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. An embankment-protector comprising sections of closely-Woven textile material, having receptacles or pockets `to sions for securing said sections in place.

3. An embankment-protector comprising sections of closely-Woven textile material having receptacles or pockets, one. of said pockets having extending therefrom a line or cable for anchoring purposes, and suspending means for said protector-sections, connected to, and extending along, the upper longitudinal edges thereof, and suspending means having extensions for securing said sections in place.

4. An embankment-protector comprising sections of closely-Woven textile material having receptacles or pockets` to contain Weighting or anchoring means, means for lacing together said sections in continuous manner, suspending means for said protector-sections, connected to, and extending along, the upper longitudinal edges thereof, said suspending means Whole to the embankment, and securing means connected to, and extending along, the lower longitudinal edges of said sections.-

In testimony WhereofIaIix my signature in presence of the Witnesses.

CHARLES MANKEDICK.

together said sections in a continuous manner, suspending means for said protector-sections, connected to, and extending along, the upper longitudinal edge thereof, said suspending means having extensions for securing said sections to such embankments.

2. An embankment-protector comprising sections of closely-Woven textile material,hav-

mg receptacles or pockets, said pockets being Witnesses: l iared toward their lower edges, means for an- JOHN C. CHANEY, choring said sections, suspending means for MONT GETTY,

said protector-sections, connected to, and ex- N. D. MARTIN;

thereof, said suspending means having extenhaving extensions for securing the. 

